Sand-testing device for oil wells



D. B. FowLr-:R x-:T A l.

SAND TESTING DEVICE FOR OIL WELLS Filed oct. 29, 1927 IIIIIIII l VENTORS syn ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 2e,` 1929 UNITED STATES DOUGLAS B. FOWLER AND JOHN R. FOWLER, OF OLNEY, TEXAS SAND-TESTING DEVICE FOR OIL `WELLS Application led October 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,765.

This invention relates to improvements in means for ascertaining the value of a partly drilled well, especially an oil well,l and the object of the invention is to provide an attachment for the drill stem for testing the sand at the bottom of the partly drilled holef Without the use of a sand tester it is necessary to set the well casing and cement it, both y at considerable expense, and then wait several 1o days for the cement to set, after which further delay is experienced in bailing the mud and water from the hole to get the pressure oli' the sand.

In the present invention the sand tester is attached to the end of the hollow drill pipe or. drill stem and rotated to a seat, the result being that the device at once cuts off all mud and water pressure on the sand, and the sand at the bottom of the hole can then be taken out to test the value of the well.

' The invention will be readily understood from a perusal ofthe following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciication, and in which:

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the sand tester.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views thereof, taken respectively along the lines corresponding with the views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the body of the sand tester which is hollow and screw-threaded at both ends. The upper end has a cap or covering 2, v.interiorlyv threaded and advanced down upon the body 1, and has a neck 3 the neck being channeled and provided with a shoulder 4, the channel or opening being indicated at 5. The lower end of the body 1 is provided 4o with a shoe 6, liared slightly outwardly and threaded onto the body as shown.

0n the interior of the body and occupying the central part thereof is a ltubular element 7 provided with a removable lower closure ca 8. The upper end of this tubular element? is threadedly seated in the shoulder 4 of the cap 2.

In the channel or opening 5 of the neck 2 of the closure or cap is inserted a tubular member 9 which is longitudinally grooved on opposite sides at 10 and the neck 3 is :longitudinally ribbed at 3, providing a key-way and the upper end of the tubular member is threaded. at 11 for attachment to the drill stem of the well rig. Seated in the lower end of the tubular member 9 is a smaller tube 12 and which depends within the element 7. to about midway thereof. On the tube 12 are pistons 13, 14 and 15 provided with piston rings 16, the lower piston being removablyl 50 attached to the end of the tube 12 and including a projection 17 for seating a spring 18. The lower end of this spring rests upon the cap 8. It will be observed that the pistons are spaced apart on the tube 12 and tightly fit the tubular element 7.

Both the tubular element 7 and the tube 12 are perforated at 19 and 20 for the purpose of permitting the fluid or gas in the well to enter after the tester is set in and opened at the bottom of a well.

In the operation of the attachment, after drilling a well down to a point where substance is encountered and where the operator believes there is oil or gas sand, the drill is removed and the sand tester is attached to the drill stem, which is then lowered into the hole. After lowering to its seat, the drill stem is given a turn with chain tongs or rotary backward say ive-eighths of an inch, full turn of whole string of pipe or drill stem line. This movement will register the ribs 3a with the longitudinal grooves 10 of the key-way. The drill stem is then lowered approximately twenty inchesA and the'perforations in the tube 12 will register with the perforations 20 in the member 7 so as to thereby allow contents of the sand. to flow into the drill pipe. With the shoe Gresting on the strata in the bottom of the hole, the casing 1 effectually shuts oil 9 mud and water from the strata to be tested, preventing entrance thereof to the sand tester. Piston 13 prevents uid above the tool from entering, while iston 14 acts to prevent entrance of Huid Whic may seep through vpast 95 piston 13. The piston 15 acts as a bottom seal for the contents of tube 12. The sand tester is then `allowed to set for any length ofv time desired, after which the drill pipe is pulled upwardl twenty inches, and the sand 10o tester closes, retaining the contents of sand already taken in. The drill stem and tester are then removed from the hole. The contents can then be taken out of tester and the yvalue of the hole ascertained.

The invention is not to be understood as llmited to the specific construction here shown, but iscapable of minor modifications, such changes and alterations to come within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.

' What is claimed is:

1. A sand tester for oil wells, comprising a hollow cylindrical body, a cap on one end with an opening in the cap, a collar on the opposite end of the body; a tubular element removably attached -to the ca on the inside of the cylindrical body and depending centrally of said body to approximately the lower end thereof; a tube disposed in said tubular element and pistons spaced on the tube and arranged to reciprocate within said tubular element; said tube and tubular element being erforated, the perforations registerable with one vanother to permit sand to enter.

2. A sand tester as set out in claini 1, and

wherein said cap has a neck with an opening, `the opening having ribs; and av relatively j short tubular member receivable in said opening, said relatively short tubular member having channels, said channels and said ribs forming a key-way; said tube carrying the v pistons removably connected to said relatively short tubular member7- the pistons and tube reciprocating within said tubular element in creating a vacuum in the lower end of the tester.

3. A sand tester for oil wells as set out in claim 1, said tubular element having a removable cap on its lower end to close` the end; a spring inside the tubular element, the

upper end of the spring having its seat on I the lowermost of said pistons, said spring forming a cushion. l

In testimony whereof we aix our signatures.

DOUGLAS B. FOWLER. JOHN R. FOWLER. Y 

